BBL08 Semi Finals
BlueBet previews the BBL08 Semi Finals action below. Read on for our best betting tips per game and an overview of the feature games this week.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars
14 Feb 2019, 7:30pm (AEDT) - Blundstone Arena, Hobart
Odds: Hurricanes $1.76, Stars $2.08
The first semi-final of BBL08 will see the Hobart Hurricanes take on the Melbourne Stars this Thursday night. Hobart are $1.76 favourites to beat the Stars after a dominant regular season.
Hobart topped the BBL ladder with a 10-4 record and an equally impressive 5-0 record at this venue. The story of the season has mainly been the opening partnership between Wade and Short. Both players are ranked #1 and #2 for runs scored and they’re also the only batsman to score 500+ runs. So they will obviously be the key to this matchup. They’ve also been well supported by Bailey (326 runs) and McDermott (323 runs). They’ll also be boosted by the return of James Faulkner from injury. He’s missed the last few games and has taken 18 wickets for the Canes’ in BBL08. Along with Archer (17w) and Meredith (16w), the Hurricanes deserve to be favourites here.
For the Stars, they returned to form with a huge win over the Sixers in the last fixture. It followed a shocking bowling performance at the Gabba and Glenn Maxwell was the “star”. He belted a quick-fire half-century and could do no wrong in the field as the Stars easily bowled the Sixers out. It’s been a fairly inconsistent season for Melbourne but they have the talent to possibly trouble the Hurricanes. Maxwell is the key and the batting of Stoinis has led the way. He’s the 3rd top run scorer in the league and has also taken 14 wickets. But the question will be whether they can stop the Hurricanes strong batting lineup and I don’t see that changing in this final. The Stars also lack batting depth if Maxwell and Stoinis get out cheaply.
Hobart is undefeated at this venue in BBL08 and they’ve also beaten the Stars comfortably in the 2 clashes this season. In the first meeting, Hobart easily chased 155 at this venue. Then at the MCG, the Hurricanes bowled them out for 126 after making 185/2.
Stadium Record
Hobart is 5-0 at this venue this season. Melbourne lost their only game here in BBL08.
Head to Head Record
The Hurricanes won both clashes against the Stars this season.
Best Bet
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixes
15 Feb 2019, 7:40pm (AEDT) - Marvel Stadium
Odds: Renegades $1.78, Sixes $2.05
The second semi-final will be played at Marvel Stadium as the Renegades clash with the Sixers on Friday night.
The Renegades earned a home final with an 8-6 record and they recorded 3 wins from 5 games at this venue. They’re led by Aaron Finch and if he gets going, the Sixers could be in trouble. Sam Harper is a young player to watch in the future and he’s scored 299 runs in BBL08. A big loss will be Mohammad Nabi who will miss this game due to an Afghanistan camp. His batting in the middle order and handy off-spin will be missed. But they do have the best wicket-taker in the league - Kane Richardson. He’s been really impressive with 24 wickets at an average of just 14.91 from just 12 games. He’ll likely be a handful on the Marvel Stadium deck.
Sydney comes into this game on the back of a horrible showing against the Stars in the last round. They were bowled out for just 74 and lost the opportunity to host a home final in the process. Their top order batting can be an issue with losing early wickets and they’ll hope that doesn’t happen in this final. Daniel Hughes has been their top performer with 347 runs for the season. He’s been well supported by Silk in the middle order and Phillppe looks like a future star. The Sixers bowling lineup is their real strength. Abbott has taken 21 wickets in another strong season and Curran has added 20 wickets. However, he will miss this final due to International duty.
In the 2 meetings between the sides in BBL08, bowling has been dominant and I don’t see any different in this game. At this venue, the Sixers bowling lineup limited the ‘Gades to 99 from their 20 overs in pursuit of just 132. Then in Sydney, Melbourne got their revenge with a comfortable 7 wicket win. Both sides will also miss key International talent in Curran for the Sixers and Nabi for the Renegades. In the end, the Renegades are at home and I think that will be enough to get them over the line. The Sixers batting was really poor last game and the ‘Gades bowling can take advantage on a slow pitch. They’ll miss Nabi but Aaron Finch could be the difference maker in a Renegades victory.
Stadium Record
Melbourne went 3-2 at this venue in BBL08. The Sixers have won 3 in a row at this venue.
Head to Head Record
This season, both sides won a game against each other. In the last 9 meetings, the Sixers just lead 5-4.
Best Bet
